A Japanese problem solving approach: the KJ-Ho

method

Susumu Kunifuji

Professor & Vice President, Japan Advanced Iinstitute for Science and Technology,

Kanazawa, Japan kuni@jaist.ac.jp

Abstract. In Japan, by far the most popular creative problem-solving

methodology using creative thinking is the KJ Ho method. This method puts

unstructured information on a subject matter of interest into order through

alternating divergent and convergent thinking steps. In this paper we explain

basic procedures associated with the KJ Ho.

Keywords: creative thinking, W-shaped problem-solving methodology, the KJ-

Ho method

1 Outline

There is a number of creative thinking methods in existence, for example,

brainstorming, brain-writing, mind-mapping, the KJ Ho (method) [1], the NM

method, the Equivalent Transformation method, etc. Human thinking processes for

creative problem solving typically consist of four sub-processes: divergent thinking,

convergent thinking, idea crystallization, and idea-verification. In Japan, the most

popular creative thinking method by far is the KJ Ho [6].

Fig. 1. The W-shaped problem-solving Methodology [5]

Andrzej M.J. Skulimowski (ed.): Proceedings of KICSS'2013, pp. 333-338 © Progress & Business Publishers, Kraków 2013

JiroKawakita explained in his paper published in 1991 [5] that human creative

problem solving processes often consist of the following steps (see Figure 1).

In a scientific inquiry, one encounters a problem at point A on the thought level. As

the first step in solving this problem, he proceeds to explore the situation surrounding

the problem between A and B, and next collect all relevant and accurate data through

observation between B and C. By this data, he next formulates or develops a number

of hypotheses between C and D. Having returned to the next level, at point D, he next

evaluates hypotheses and decides one hypothesis which to adopt. Between D and E,

he infers and revises the adopted hypothesis through deductive reasoning. Next, he

plans an experiment for testing the adopted hypothesis between E and F, and

observes the experiment between F and G. Given the results of the experiments, he

can verify hypothesis between points G and H, and can finally acquire a correct

conclusion at point H.

The very original nature of the KJ Ho is a bottom-up creative problem solving

methodology for practical use (almost all other creative problem solving

methodologies are top-down). The KJ Ho was created on the basis of cultural

anthropology and the W-shaped problem solving methodology, as depicted in

Figure 1, providing a unique integration of social and natural sciences.

2. Basic Steps

Now we can explain basic procedures associated with the KJ Ho: these are label

making; label grouping; group label naming; nesting grouping and naming; spatial

arrangement and relationships, and verbal or written explanation (see Figure 2).

Label making: by brainstorming, brain writing, or idea marathon, etc. through

thinking and fieldwork. You collect data, observe situations related to the problem,

and write down everything that you have discovered on labels. Only one fact, thought

or concept related to the problem of concern should be written on each label. There is

no limit to the number of written labels.

Label grouping: After writing up all facts, you should stack the labels and spread

them around on a table or a floor. You must carefully consider what the labels are

saying. Labels that appear to belong together should be arranged close to each other

and kept at a distance from other labels to form a group (or an island). Note that labels

should not be grouped simply based on similarity (i.e. similar words being used), but

rather on mental association. Labels that do not seem to be related to any other labels

(called ‘lone wolves’) might become key concepts, or be merged into another group at

a higher level of label grouping.

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Fig. 2. Basic Steps of the KJ-Ho(Method) [8]

Group label naming: After about two-thirds of the labels have been grouped, you

can start making one-line headers (summarised sentences) as titles for each grouping.

You should re-read all labels in the grouping and then think of a suitable title to

describe the essence of all labels in that grouping. It should not be too abstract, nor

too specific. Once a title is decided, you should write it on a new label, and perform

this process until all groupings have been done. Making a one-line title is a concept

creation or an abduction, which includes the meaning of all underlying labels in the

group. This process of label grouping and label naming is repeated until the number

of groupings becomes less than, say, ten.

Spatial arrangement: After several label grouping steps, a bundle of final

groupings are obtained, which are to be spatially spread and arranged on a large sheet

of paper. You should consider carefully a stable, meaningful arrangement of all labels

and groupings. This process will continue until all labels and groups are placed using

the same justification recursively.

Relationships: Labels, groups, teams and islands are often called objects.

Typically, the following relationship symbols are used in KJ Ho chart making

between objects:

(a) Cause and effect: One is a predecessor or a cause of another.

(b) Contradiction: Objects are conflicting to each other.

(c) Interdependence: Objects are dependent on each other.

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(d) Correlation: Both objects relate to one another in some way.

Relationships among objects in the chart must be easily and clearly expressed.

Verbal or written explanation: The last step is to explain the chart clearly. The

explanation should begin with a general scenario of the problem, and then be more

specific. Usually, the verbal explanation is given first, which could start from any

position on the chart, and then proceed to an adjacent part until all parts are covered.

After this, the written explanation is performed. You should write down the verbal

explanation, making it clear, smooth and concise. This step helps the audience to

understand the interrelationships among components of the problem thoroughly. The

written explanation of the chart (that is called Type A) is called the KJ Ho Type B and

the verbal one that is preliminary is the KJ Ho Type B’.

3 W-shaped Problem Solving

The KJ Ho is a creative problem-solving methodology using creative thinking that

puts unstructured information on a subject matter of interest into order through

divergent and convergent thinking steps. As it was briefly mentioned in the

introduction, the process model of the KJ Ho (the cumulative KJ Ho) is called ‘W-

shaped problem-solving’ from Round 1 to Round 9 as follows (see Figure 1).

Round 1: Presenting a given problem by clarifying the given task. Data is

collected by recalling from memory, rather than from external investigations.

Round 2: Understanding the status quo of the given problem, i.e. understanding

the current situation. Data is collected by fieldwork or observations from a 360 degree

viewpoint.

Round 3: Hypothesis generation. This round is most important because we must

find new hypotheses or ideas to solve the given problem by the KJ Ho. Note that if

generated sentences (hypothesis or ideas) are in a negative form, then it is better to

restate these as positive sentences. This is called the nega-posi transformation.

Round 3.5: After evaluating hypotheses or ideas by both subjective and objective

judgments, you decide the most effective hypothesis to solve the given problem,

which is in effect a decision making or a policy determination. This evaluation sub-

process is often done by all participants, and sometimes called a highlighting or

scoring process.

Round 4: Forming a grand plan, i.e. formulating a master plan for more detailed

investigations.

Round 5: Forming a detailed plan, i.e. an implementation strategy for the problem.

Round 6: Establishing a practical procedure by using PERT (Program Evaluation

and Review Technique) or workflow.

Round 7: Practical actions to verify the hypothesis.

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Round 8: Verification by testing. If the hypothesis is rejected, then retry another

hypothesis generation by backtracking to Round 3.5. If it is acceptable, move to next

Round 9. If all hypotheses are rejected, then go back to the checkpoint of Round 1.

Round 9: Conclusion and Reflection process. Accepted hypothesis must be added

to our knowledge base.

4 Applications of the Cumulative KJ Ho

The Nomadic University [3,4] is a form of project where the cumulative KJ Ho as a

W-shaped problem solving method is applied to a specific problem. These Nomadic

Universities are typically held at the locations where the problems exist. The first

Nomadic University was founded by Prof Jiro Kawakita (then, a Professor at Tokyo

Institute of Technology) in August 1969, in Kurohime, Nagano, in the midst of

student uprisings in Japan. This first event was called the Kurohime Nomadic

University [3], a two week workshop in an outdoor campus, with attendants staying in

tents. The author participated in this first event and this series continued to be held

twenty five times in Japan up until 1999.

Further to this, there have also been numerous projects, seminars and mini

Nomadic Universities [7] (shorter events, from 2008), which still take place today

covering a very wide range of domains, including management and administration,

energy and environment, health services, psychotherapy, regional development,

engineering, construction, etc. in Japan.

References

1. Kawakita J., Hasso-Ho (発想法), Chuko Shinsho (no. 136) (in Japanese) (1966)

2. Kawakita J., Makishima S., Problem Solving - KJ Ho Workbook

(問題解決‐KJ法ワークショップ), Kodansha, Japan (in Japanese) (1970)

3. Kawakita, J. (ed), Clouds and Water – Nomadic University Chronicle of Hard Working

(雲と水と‐移動大学奮戦記), Kodansha, Japan (in Japanese) (1971)

4. Kawakita, J. (ed), Nomadic University – Japanese Islands are my Textbook

(移動大学‐日本列島を教科書として), Kashima Kenkyujo Shuppankai, Japan (in

Japanese) (1971)

5. Kawakita, J., The Original KJ Method (Revised Edition), Kawakita Research Institute

(1991)

6. Kunifuji S., Kato N., Wierzbicki A.P., Creativity Support in Brainstorming, in

A.P. Wierzbicki and Y. Nakamori (eds.), Creative Environment: Issues of Creativity

Support for the Knowledge Civilization Age, Springer (2007)

7. Naganobu, M., Maruyama, S., Sasase M., Kawaida S., Kunifuji S., Okabe A. (the Editorial

Party of Field Science KJ Ho) eds., Exploration of Natural Fusion, Thought and Possibility

of Field Science. Shimizu-Kobundo-Shobo, Japan (in Japanese) (2012)

(Note: Published as a Kawakita Jiro Memorial Collection issue covering various topics of

Fieldwork Science and the KJ Ho)

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8. Viriyayudhakorn, Kobkrit: Creativity Assistants and Social Influences in KJ-Method

Creativity Support Groupware, Dissertation of School of Knowledge Science, JAIST,

March 2013

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